Viva Las Vegas!

Do we know how to start a summer off right, or what? This past Tuesday, the last day of school, I busted out the doors and headed for St. Louis. Next stop....Las Vegas! Doug had been working there since Saturday and it was past time to be reunited. This summer is our five year anniversary and we had been wanting to actually celebrate it (with Em's birthday being on the same day, we gladly take the back-burner.) But five years and two kids later, we thought it was time for a little Doug-Ashley get away. It just worked perfect for me to meet him and spend a couple of days away.

I really didn't take too many pictures. Too busy enjoying the sights and the company (and not winning that much in gambling) but I thought I would share a few of my favorite things!

Favorite #1: Our Hotel

 

We stayed in the Cosmopolitan--a sexy-modern casino right in the middle of the strip. This was the first thing I saw. The whole place was very cool. Over the next couple of days we spent time in all of the hotels, but ours was my favorite.

Favorite #2: The Views

 

Flying in at night was amazing and the city that never sleeps doesn't disappoint after the sun goes down. Everything is bright and in your face. This was from the 40th floor of our hotel. Right after the lights are the mountains. It's like Vegas was just placed in the middle of nowhere. 

Favorite #3: The Weather

 

You might be asking yourself why I put a picture of myself for the weather favorite. Two words: NO HUMIDITY. I of course had to capture the greatest hair day of my life hehe! It was in the 80s with a cool breeze and hot sun and got cool in the evenings--I definitely could have gotten used to it. We were told it is usually in the 100s by this time so we lucked out with perfect weather.

Favorite #4: Pool Time

 

With the weather so nice, that made the pool experience even better. Doug and I spent our days lounging in and out of the pool and just talking. Reminded me of the day on our honeymoon when we sat by the ocean and talked until we were burnt.

 

It felt so good to not have any set schedule. No alarms (actually no clocks....good luck finding a clock in Vegas), no rushing around. Just enjoying the sun and each other!

Favorite #5: The Sights

 

Wednesday night we walked most of the strip and took in all of the many sights. Each casino was so unique and beautiful. This is the entrance to the Bellagio (the one with the fountains).

 

Every casino smelled like heaven because of all of the beautiful flowers and fresh oxygen flowing in. I didn't realize you could smoke there...so I was thankful for the good smells that took over the bad!

 

I can't mention the sights without mentioning the fountains. So, so cool. This was from the front. Later on we got to see them from behind.

 

Wednesday night also allowed for some shopping sights...very expensive shopping sights. These shoes are crystal Christian Louboutin pumps---about $1,200 bucks on my foot. And very uncomfortable. Give me a Target any day!

Favorite #6: Thursday Night

 

Doug and I decided to go out with a bang on Thursday. The night started with my man making me my favorite drink and telling me to take my time getting ready. He didn't have to tell me twice!

 

We started the evening in a cool outside bar that was actually behind the fountains.

  

and we splurged on fancy drinks that we would have never tried anywhere else. 

 

We ate at the coolest place ever. It was called Rose. Rabbit. Lie.

Picture Ricky Ricardo singing with his band on "I Love Lucy" but with a very modern twist. We were seated right in front of the little band and got to hear two different lounge singers put their twists on classic and current hits. In the meantime, the food was wonderful too. As we were leaving we mentioned how cool of an experience it was to our waiter and he gave us a tour of the whole place. We were there on a fairly quiet night so it was cool to see where the five piece band plays and the hidden door to the "study"--a swanky bar inside another bar!

 

After loosing some money at the casino (I think in the end we came home up 100 bucks) we decided to go dancing and danced the night away. It was fun to get dressed up for each other and let loose!

Favorite # 7: My Company

 

Last but certainly not least, my favorite part was simply being away for a little bit with Doug--sorry for being mushy.  Not that things have been rough by any means or we weren't feeling close, but I guess I didn't realize how much of our time is spent trying to talk over kids or cleaning up messes. Yes, we see each other everyday and talk everyday, but stepping away together for a second was really nice and refreshing. So...see you in another five years, Douglas?

With all of my favorites, there has to have been a few things I didn't love.

#1-I missed Emery Kayt like crazy.

 

Emery got to go to her favorite place while we were gone--Grandma Susie and Grandpa Sammy's! My favorite story from them is Emery devouring a jelly bread at supper only to be found later sneaking more....this time with just her spoon in the bowl of peach jelly, loving every bite! The rest of the time she was spoiled rotten by Nana. I know she got a new movie-The Little Mermaid- and talked Nana into watching it twice. They ate all of her favorites and even made homemade chocolate chip "Nana" bread. Doug and I are so thankful Nana can kind of move right in and I didn't have to worry about packing them up or them not sleeping good somewhere else. I owe both Grandmas so much!

#2: I missed August Samuel like crazy.

 

This little boy has been on the verge of walking so Doug and I just knew he was going to take those first steps when we were gone. He did take a few....but we didn't miss too much! When I called Sue to check in Wednesday morning the first thing she said was, "He just doesn't stop, does he?" I had to laugh! Nana kept them so busy that I think Aug was ready for bed about 7:30 every night and snoozed till about 9 in the morning. Lucky for Nana!

 

By Friday morning, Doug and I were very ready to be home. We missed the kiddos so much. They were asleep when we got in but the smiles on their faces and the big cuddles in our bed this morning did not disappoint. They were even happier to see us than I thought they would be. Talk about feeling loved! Auggie helped me unpack--I think he is doing everything in his power to make sure I don't leave him again. Emery has given me lots of squeezes and "I love you, Mommy"'s.

As much as we enjoyed ourselves, there is no place like home!